(Minghui.org) Last weekend, Falun Gong practitioners from the Toronto area participated in three Christmas parades in nearby Newmarket, Richmond Hill, and Milton. The performances left memorable impressions on the spectators, as many eagerly expressed their appreciation and support.

Exercise demonstration in Newmarket on Saturday

The Tian Guo Marching Band in Newmarket

The Tian Guo Marching Band in Richmond Hill on Saturday

The Tian Guo Marching Band and float in Milton on Sunday

“They are pure and peaceful”

Mr. Wang's family in Newmarket was amazed by the Falun Gong group's performance. He took a lot of photos and videos of the exercise demonstration.

He thanked the practitioners for contributing to the community and said, “I know this group. This team is great, completely different from what people may have heard from the Communist Party's media.”

Ms. Liu from mainland China filmed the exercise demonstration contingent. She said, “I didn't know much about Falun Gong, but I was curious about what the people who practiced it were like. I saw them for myself today. To my surprise, they are pure and peaceful, very different from what I had imagined.”

“Nobody should be persecuted for their beliefs”

Ligia Varozza had never seen any Falun Gong performances before, but she had heard about the persecution and practitioners' persistence.

“Your exercise movements look good. There is nothing wrong with believing in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” she said. “You should keep it up.”

Lesley said that nobody should be persecuted for their beliefs and was surprised that the persecution was still going on.

Anne was knowledgeable about the persecution and the peaceful resistance, and expressed her support for Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. “The Canadian government should help,” she said.

Diane was interested in learning the exercises and asked for information about the local exercise site.

When told about the persecution, she said that as human beings, we should protect each other. “We are not here to persecute other people. I think it's horrible to persecute people for their beliefs. I love this group,” she said.

James loved the Tian Guo Marching Band's music and costumes.

“This was one of my favorites,” local resident James said. When told more about Falun Gong and the persecution, he said, “My daughter's best friend is Chinese, and I am very interested in traditional Chinese culture. I'd like to learn more about Falun Gong.”

Golett, who enjoyed the Tian Guo Marching Band, said, “They kept smiling, and they look so happy. They weren't bothered by the bad weather. They are beautiful.”

Carmelo enjoyed the performances with his wife and daughter and said, “There are so many Chinese in this band. I'm surprised. I like it.”